thirteen. Path 280° T., speed fifteen is was able during the night, the fresh new enemy having been considered heading slightly southern area out-of western, probably to join new Southern pushes. Eventually in advance of dawn Agency launched an effective reconnaissance flight to locate brand new urban area from 180° because of Western so you can 360° to possess a distance out-of 200 miles. , the fresh new adversary influence 239° T., range 150 kilometers out of this push. The new get in touch with declaration made by radio and due to voice error the phrase “BB” is read just like the “CV”. Accordingly, step one Cv was claimed so you can Leader Activity Push sixteen. Brand new pilot instantaneously returned to legs and stated accurately step 1 BB, 1 Ca, 3 DD, by the message drop and you may verbally. Cruisers was indeed after that bought to increase and sustain connection with their SOCs, song the challenger and keep the OTC informed.
fourteen. In the 0957, commenced unveiling heavens group of twenty-six VSB and you will 8 VF. The second were purchased with each other if there is in earlier times unnoticed heavens opposition. It helped regarding the attack because of the effectively strafing destroyers. At 1150 the atmosphere class began its assault for the opponent force which contained 1 BB, step 1 California, and 3 DDs, 142 kilometers bearing 235° T. out of Hornet 1015 condition, inducing the following: dos a lot of-pound. bombs and you will 1 500-pound. bomb for the BB in addition to several a lot of-lb. hits to your a california; you to 500-pound. strike for the stern away from a great DD. Four VF strafed you to DD hence probably suffered big teams casualties towards link and upper really works. Every pilots of attack assert that principal address was definitely an excellent BB (most likely Kirishima classification) and never a ca. All planes but the one sample off was in fact retrieved from the 1245 and you will rearmed.
fifteen. On 1239 Firm revealed the woman very first attack on the go out; interceptions towards voice attack volume shown a massive measure of achievements.
sixteen. The fresh new piece of cake try white but favorable day long, blowing from the comfort of the latest challenger; starting was held from time to time rather than deviation of Collection way or rate.
You to definitely deferred pressed getting returned at the 1602
17. Abreast of new return of your Firm Class, twenty four VSB were introduced on 1530 for just what became the final assault of the three-date action. At the 1645, the fresh new attack try going into adversary force consisting of 1 Ca (probably Kinugasa category), step 1 Ca or CL, and 2 DDs. The brand new adversary force was at this time about 110 kilometers 264° T. of Hornet position. Outcome of this attack are listed below: One to a thousand-pound. bomb strike to your Ca, six a lot of-pound. bomb moves toward California or CL, step 1 1000-lb. bomb struck to the DD. Extremely big explosions was in fact noticed in this Jamaika naiset new Ca, therefore is actually remaining totally gutted because of the flame, teams leaving motorboat. At the 1728 the fresh assault classification came back, instead losings, and you can is retrieved. Retirement try began toward an effective northeasterly movement. Cruiser seaplanes presumed the interior air patrol.
Certainly one of Hornet VSB is actually seem to struck and you may take to down by the AA flames in this assault
18. This new Dominating Administrator wants to commend the entire staff of Hornet into the Leader-in-Head because the deserving of large praise because of their show out of obligation from inside the subject action. Most of the give used themselves in a manner fitted the latest Navy’s top lifestyle. There have been no a great individuals, because step is actually purely an atmosphere step, and there is no reason behind censure. Suggestions for awards on the Heavens Class is actually found in Enclosure (C).
15 TBD to the cuatro Summer (1 pilot saved). several F4F-cuatro on the cuatro Summer (6 pilots rescued). 5 SBDs 4-six Summer (cuatro pilots and 4 RM rescued).
step 1 torpedo struck towards Curriculum vitae (Ensign Gay) (Most likely far more of the VT8). step three No fighters shot down. 2 diving bombers shot off. 2 1000-pound. bomb moves for the BB. 1 five-hundred-pound. bomb strike to the BB. dos five hundred-lb. bomb hit towards California or CL. dos one thousand-pound. close misses (not as much as 50′) toward BB. 1 DD strafed of the 4 VF. *2 a thousand-pound. bomb attacks on the California. step 1 five-hundred-lb. bomb hit on the DD. step one 1000-lb. bomb strike towards the Ca. six a lot of-lb. bomb moves for the CL otherwise California. step one a lot of-pound. bomb struck on DD.